The first ovarian cancer vaccine is being developed, and creators and hopeful it could wipe out the disease.
The UK is currently developing the world’s first vaccine for ovarian cancer at the University of Oxford. According to scientists developing OvarianVax, the vaccine could wipe out the disease, as it directs the immune system to identify and fight the earliest stages of ovarian cancer.
The focus of the vaccine is to be administered preventatively to women on The National Health Services (NHS), with the objective to eradicate the disease.
Researchers suggest that it could function similarly to the HPV vaccine which is designed to eliminate cervical cancer.
Justin Bieber's 'newborn son helped him find strength' to open up about 'private hell' P Diddy caused
Prince Louis had comical five-word reaction when Princess Charlotte was given special gift
Professor Ahmed Ahmed, Director of the ovarian cancer cell laboratory at MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine at the University of Oxford, and his team are identifying cellular targets for the vaccine.
He said that if the vaccine proves to be successful, he anticipates seeing an impact within the next five years.
When asked about the overall potential of the vaccine being able to eliminate ovarian cancer he said "Absolutely that would be the aim. We still have a long way to go but it is a really exciting time. I'm very optimistic myself."
To do this, they will determine which proteins in the early-stage of ovarian cancer cells are most commonly recognized by the immune system. It also depends on how well the vaccine eradicates mini-models of ovarian cancer in the lab.
Liam Neeson movie hailed as 'greatest war film ever' available to stream on Netflix now
Colorado teen shot in face after trying to ask politely for permission to take homecoming photos at property
After initial development is complete, the next step is human clinical trials. The trials will work with individuals with BRCA gene mutations, which heighten the risk of ovarian cancer greatly.
The initial trials will also include healthy women to see if the vaccine could work to prevent the disease.
Professor Ahmed explained what they hope the vaccine will do to ovarian cancer.
“The idea is, if you give the vaccine, these tiny tumors will hopefully either reduce, shrink really significantly, or disappear. That would give us the sign that the vaccine is working."
The vaccine is being funded by the Cancer Research UK, who is supplying the study with £600,000 over the next three years.
